Forbes House Museum brings 'Downton Abbey' to Milton

Friends of Milton's Forbes House Museum attend a "Downton Abbey" party set at a Georgian estate.

By Natalie OrnellFor The Patriot Ledger

MILTON -- The popular PBS period drama “Downton Abbey” is set in Highclere Castle, England, but more than 100 people staged their own version Saturday night in Milton.

Dressed up as characters on the hit series, donning elbow-length satin gloves, flowery hats, flamboyant dresses and black and white attire, friends of Milton’s Forbes House Museum enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at a “Downton Abbey Ball” at the brick Georgian mansion home of Francesca and Mat Sibble, which was built by John Murray Forbes in the 1840s.

“Downton Abbey” tells the story of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants.

“Baroness” trustee of the museum Georgia Lee said the real “Downton Abbey” set attracted so many tourists that the money raised helps preserve the castle used for the show. She hoped Saturday’s event would do the same for the Forbes Museum, which needs costly renovations.

Robin Tagliaferri, executive director of the museum, said, “‘Downton Abbey’ has a lot in common with the museum. Taking care of the Forbes House, I’m living it.”

In addition to renovations, Tagliaferri said, she would like to see the museum’s carriage house become a visitor center.

Lily Kasuba, 18, daughter of Paul Kasuba, a member of the Forbes board of trustees, and Jessica Peterson, 19, dressed up as 1920s flappers for the party. Both are from Milton.

Barbara Phinney of Milton and her husband, Ben, dressed up as “Brits home from the empire.” She wore a dress from Shanghai and decorative items from her trips to Asia.

“We’re members of the Forbes. We’re addicted to ‘Downton Abbey.’ I knew people and have known people who live like that. I like the head of the staff (on ‘Downton Abbey’). She’s just so sensible,” Phinney said, referring to the character Mrs. Hughes.

Hyacinth Crichlow (“Lady Hyacinth”), a friend of the Forbes Museum, said she became involved with the museum after volunteering through the Rotary Club.

“I love the paintings, the Chinese portraits. I love the ‘Downton Abbey’ show,” she said.

Her friend, Patty Murphy of Acton, chimed in about ‘Downton Abbey’s’ ill-fated Lady Sybil Branson: “I loved Sybil because I was a rebel like Sybil as a young girl.”

June Robinson, 83, a former trustee of the Forbes museum and a longtime Milton resident, wore a 1910 art nouveau dragonfly pin and a colorful hat to match. She has been with the museum for decades, and was a gallery instructor at the Museum of Fine Arts. She still helps with the house’s upkeep, especially the gardening, including planting Asian shrubs.

Robinson helped keep the Forbes Museum alive in the 1980s when the property was going to be sold.

“A developer was going to come in and build condominiums,” she said.

“Having a historical house in Milton gives meaning, history and longevity to the town,” Robinson said.